Vegas may be more -EV but I find these Montreal clubs to be so isolated and there is nothing to do once you step out the door. Havent been to Mtl for a while so might check it out this year.
We have an updated list of the big-name poker pros who are going to be here for the Main Event of the Full Tilt Poker Montreal Festival:
Gus Hansen
Viktor Blom
Tom Dwan
Jonathan Duhamel
David Williams
Vanessa Rousseau
Chris Moneymaker
Victor Ramdin
Gavin Smith
Antonio Esfandiari
Jeff Gross
Jon Roy
Jason Duval
Chanracy Khun
Christopher McClung
Jean-Philippe Piquette
Derek Lerner
527 today for Day 1a of the $135 + $15 Re-entry Event 1. Lots of locals (including, interestingly enough, November Niner Marc-Etienne McLaughlin, who I hear came out with his Dad to play the event), but also reports of lots of regs from Woodbine and Niagara. I can't quantify what "lots" is though LOL.
There was also a ton of cash game action - upwards of 25 tables at one point
We have an updated list of the big-name poker pros who are going to be here for the Main Event of the Full Tilt Poker Montreal Festival:
Gus Hansen
Viktor Blom
Tom Dwan
Jonathan Duhamel
David Williams
Vanessa Rousseau
Chris Moneymaker
Victor Ramdin
Gavin Smith
Antonio Esfandiari
Jeff Gross
Jon Roy
Jason Duval
Chanracy Khun
Christopher McClung
Jean-Philippe Piquette
Derek Lerner
T8
I have a question that might be stupid, but i was wondering is there anyway to know the estimate of when does the bubble burst in a tournament?
For example on which day does the bubble burst for the ftp Montreal main event?
I have a question that might be stupid, but i was wondering is there anyway to know the estimate of when does the bubble burst in a tournament?
For example on which day does the bubble burst for the ftp Montreal main event?
Usually the creator of the structure will have a solid clue if he is good. Ron Campbell of a Players Poker Canada could prob come close if he read sheet.
527 today for Day 1a of the $135 + $15 Re-entry Event 1. Lots of locals (including, interestingly enough, November Niner Marc-Etienne McLaughlin, who I hear came out with his Dad to play the event), but also reports of lots of regs from Woodbine and Niagara. I can't quantify what "lots" is though LOL.
There was also a ton of cash game action - upwards of 25 tables at one point
Playground's signature $150 re-entry is an amazing event for prize-pool and field size. I'd be curious to see how big it would get with no cap and an extended reg. totally think it could rival Rio daily and break 2k.
There were 513 today (where "today" = Sunday - I *just* got home from a marathon day with Full Tilt Poker Montreal Festival), so the guarantee has already been far surpassed and there's still Day 1c to come.
We have an updated list of the big-name poker pros who are going to be here for the Main Event of the Full Tilt Poker Montreal Festival:
Gus Hansen
Viktor Blom
Tom Dwan
Jonathan Duhamel
David Williams
Vanessa Rousseau
Chris Moneymaker
Victor Ramdin
Gavin Smith
Antonio Esfandiari
Jeff Gross
Jon Roy
Jason Duval
Chanracy Khun
Christopher McClung
Jean-Philippe Piquette
Derek Lerner
T8
Steven Kerr
Just wondering: if there are going to be about 1500 runners for this event, what would the payout structure be? And how many places would get paid? So 1500 players X $1000 buy in = 1.65 mil prize pool. If top prize is about 30% of the prize pool, first place would get around 495k? Or is 30% too high? How many places would get paid if 1500 runners? Estimates are fine. Thanks MadMax.
If there are going to be 1500 runners, I would expect the payout pool to be close to what the $135 rebuy event going on right now is (percentage wise) since it had effectively 1577 runners. The top prize in that event is only 16.67% of the prize pool.
1500 runners for the main event would only give a 1.5 Million prize pool (don't expect them to give back that $100 in "management fees"). So, you would be looking at around $250K for first place.
I would also expect them to pay around the same number of players - 171 or so, with the first payouts being around $1,640.
Just wondering: if there are going to be about 1500 runners for this event, what would the payout structure be? And how many places would get paid? So 1500 players X $1000 buy in = 1.65 mil prize pool. If top prize is about 30% of the prize pool, first place would get around 495k? Or is 30% too high? How many places would get paid if 1500 runners? Estimates are fine. Thanks MadMax.
1500 runners for the main event would only give a 1.5 Million prize pool (don't expect them to give back that $100 in "management fees").
Don't forget the extra 3% fee for "staff gratuities" so almost $200,000 will be raked away just in ONE event. This is one of the many problems with the re-entry format. Casual players who don't re-enter are in an even bigger disadvantage against the pros and others whom you may have eliminated but who can easily afford $3,300 and re-enter all three days, but if you do decide to re-enter, the poker room will charge you the full rake of 12% or $130 every time.
1. Our standard payout structure has changed recently to have a little less steep of a curve. That's why the top prize seems lower - but a larger number of players are getting bigger prizes on the whole. It's not just about the # "up top" it's about adequately paying out all players who cash in an event.
2. The attitude seems to be that a property should be ashamed to compensate its employees. The 3% staff gratuity (scare quotes not required) is EXACTLY that. As is the case in many other fields, gratuities are a significant proportion of a poker dealer's compensation.
3. Big events cost money to host. I'm not going to get into an extended discussion about this, but in all of the comments I read about this there seems to be very little understanding of even the basics of what is involved in throwing a big poker event.
When was the last 5% rake Ontario event that attracted more than 150 players? We have 4-5 events that size every WEEK. When was the last 5% rake event that attracted 1000 players? Probably never? Big fields = big prize pools. Attracting big fields costs money.
4. I think (not based on hard data but my impressions having been involved in a few big events recently) there are generally fewer re-entries than a lot of people assume. That may not actually be the case for this particular event - I personally know lots of people who have secured multiple tickets already through satellites. But that's mostly an expression of how people view the value of the event. It would surprise me, though, in larger events, of more than 10% of the field re-entered even once.
The other thing about re-entry - its doubtful that outside of the WSOP a property would be able to host a big event at all without re-entry. Few pros or serious hobbyists want to travel to an event in which one cooler ends the entire experience.
As it stands, re-entry helps bring players to the event and increases the prize pool in a pretty EV-neutral way.
Point 1- awesome, with a huge field it's ridiculous to make it top heavy just to have a single number to brag about. Several pros have told me that a min cash in a main should cover expenses. Hate seeing this number less than 1.8 x buyin.
Point 2- this is pretty standard in the industry now either in a forced gratuity or add on. Zero problem with what so ever as many have mentioned it leaves you zero obligation to tip further regardless how much you win. As long as the staff aren't expecting more, win win for both sides.
Point 3- having worked the CPT event booth for many series, I would agree that it is a very low percentage of players who re-enter and again most pros don't care who puts the money in the pot and how many times. Freeze outs are virtually dead if you want even semi decent numbers. It's been tried and failed to be restored by some of the industries best managers, outside the USA it only hurts attendance.
Point 4 - tournaments are the red headed foster child of the casino. The States same to recognize more that players rent rooms, degen, drink and eat so all properties in the group gain, but not so much here. I honestly can't see either party making big bucks on this from the sounds of the advertising. If I could fathom a guess say FTP needs Playground more than the other way around right now, but this all about branding and gaining live presence, while also moving in on the competition. Playground has worked hard to get where they are and taken some gambles, it's a good spot to be in now.
Honestly, I wish a lot of casinos would stop trying to sell their events as majors or grossly over estimate prize-pools because it just causes damage and they aren't making anything significant (compared to other gambling) outside a short cash drop rake
I was posting a reply to agree with points 1 & 2, but the *&^%$#@! "token has expired!" I don't have time to remember & retype as I'm headed for Fallsview.
So the final table of the main event is set to go tomorrow at 1pm EDT and it will be live streamed with commentary by Jesse May and one of the Full Tilt pros on hand. They've done a great job so far - Jesse isn't everyone's cup of tea but I'm a big fan and have really loved his commentary so far.
the final table includes:
Guillaume Rivest - one of the new gen "team Quebec" a very solid player online and live. He has won a 1K event at Playground in the past.
Roger Lamia - won a big event in Niagara a few years back, supposed to be well known in TO.
Vineet Pahuja - from NY, up and coming star.
Mike Linster - won a WPT Main Event last year.
Billy K - a solid Playground reg.
Catch the action via http:// events.playground.ca/
GRiver is def a rising star, remember he came out of nowhere a few WSOPs ago and was one of few Canadians to play 50k and I see Bill in a lot of results. He was selling action last week on FB, hit like but shoulda hit "buy" one of those times when hind site is 20/20.
Course Steve Kerr is another example of this...buy always if you can, he's gonna make $ more often than not.
Anyhow, little doubt that Playground has officially established itself as one of top rooms in North America and untouchable for attendance in Canada.
Now looking forward to seeing WPT Montreal aim for a first place the size of this prize-pool...
The winner was a guy named Henri Balcazar who even I don't know much about. Linster ended up third but after making a deal that gave him more $$ than the guy who came first. They had to play down to a winner (not just do a deal and stop) so they divided it 200/150/150 and played for 44K. Linster was the big chip lead at the time so he got the 200K but then Balcazar started steadily chipping up and won a couple of flips and that was all she wrote for Linster.
Guillaume was OK early but just couldn't seem to get anything going. Billy K was quietly doing very well also but ran into a series of hands that he was correct to play hard but even more correct in each case to fold to pressure post flop. I think there's one hand he might have played differently but who am I to critique.
1. Henri Balcazar, Kitchener, Ontario - $194,044*
2. Eric Despres, St-Eustache, Quebec - $150,000*
3. Michael Linster, Park Island, New York - $200,000*
4. Guillaume Rivet, Montreal, Quebec - $96,151
5. Bill Kontaratos, Laval, Quebec - $74,714
6. Vineet Pahuja, New York City, New York - $58,006
7. Roger Lamia, Ottawa, Ontario - $44,923
8. Zheng-yi Xie, Montreal, Quebec - $35,150
9. Colin Piché, Repentigny, Quebec - $27,269
*based on deal
BTW I introduced myself to Steve the other day. I was kind of frazzled working 15+ hour days for like 15 days in a row, and I believe he had just busted so we didn't chat for long but still it was cool meeting just the second person I have met from here.
Comments
We have an updated list of the big-name poker pros who are going to be here for the Main Event of the Full Tilt Poker Montreal Festival:
Gus Hansen
Viktor Blom
Tom Dwan
Jonathan Duhamel
David Williams
Vanessa Rousseau
Chris Moneymaker
Victor Ramdin
Gavin Smith
Antonio Esfandiari
Jeff Gross
Jon Roy
Jason Duval
Chanracy Khun
Christopher McClung
Jean-Philippe Piquette
Derek Lerner
There was also a ton of cash game action - upwards of 25 tables at one point
For example on which day does the bubble burst for the ftp Montreal main event?
Usually the creator of the structure will have a solid clue if he is good. Ron Campbell of a Players Poker Canada could prob come close if he read sheet.
Playground's signature $150 re-entry is an amazing event for prize-pool and field size. I'd be curious to see how big it would get with no cap and an extended reg. totally think it could rival Rio daily and break 2k.
Check out Full Tilt Poker Montreal Festival if you have the chance.
1500 runners for the main event would only give a 1.5 Million prize pool (don't expect them to give back that $100 in "management fees"). So, you would be looking at around $250K for first place.
I would also expect them to pay around the same number of players - 171 or so, with the first payouts being around $1,640.
Al
1. Our standard payout structure has changed recently to have a little less steep of a curve. That's why the top prize seems lower - but a larger number of players are getting bigger prizes on the whole. It's not just about the # "up top" it's about adequately paying out all players who cash in an event.
2. The attitude seems to be that a property should be ashamed to compensate its employees. The 3% staff gratuity (scare quotes not required) is EXACTLY that. As is the case in many other fields, gratuities are a significant proportion of a poker dealer's compensation.
3. Big events cost money to host. I'm not going to get into an extended discussion about this, but in all of the comments I read about this there seems to be very little understanding of even the basics of what is involved in throwing a big poker event.
When was the last 5% rake Ontario event that attracted more than 150 players? We have 4-5 events that size every WEEK. When was the last 5% rake event that attracted 1000 players? Probably never? Big fields = big prize pools. Attracting big fields costs money.
4. I think (not based on hard data but my impressions having been involved in a few big events recently) there are generally fewer re-entries than a lot of people assume. That may not actually be the case for this particular event - I personally know lots of people who have secured multiple tickets already through satellites. But that's mostly an expression of how people view the value of the event. It would surprise me, though, in larger events, of more than 10% of the field re-entered even once.
The other thing about re-entry - its doubtful that outside of the WSOP a property would be able to host a big event at all without re-entry. Few pros or serious hobbyists want to travel to an event in which one cooler ends the entire experience.
As it stands, re-entry helps bring players to the event and increases the prize pool in a pretty EV-neutral way.
Point 2- this is pretty standard in the industry now either in a forced gratuity or add on. Zero problem with what so ever as many have mentioned it leaves you zero obligation to tip further regardless how much you win. As long as the staff aren't expecting more, win win for both sides.
Point 3- having worked the CPT event booth for many series, I would agree that it is a very low percentage of players who re-enter and again most pros don't care who puts the money in the pot and how many times. Freeze outs are virtually dead if you want even semi decent numbers. It's been tried and failed to be restored by some of the industries best managers, outside the USA it only hurts attendance.
Point 4 - tournaments are the red headed foster child of the casino. The States same to recognize more that players rent rooms, degen, drink and eat so all properties in the group gain, but not so much here. I honestly can't see either party making big bucks on this from the sounds of the advertising. If I could fathom a guess say FTP needs Playground more than the other way around right now, but this all about branding and gaining live presence, while also moving in on the competition. Playground has worked hard to get where they are and taken some gambles, it's a good spot to be in now.
Honestly, I wish a lot of casinos would stop trying to sell their events as majors or grossly over estimate prize-pools because it just causes damage and they aren't making anything significant (compared to other gambling) outside a short cash drop rake
the final table includes:
Guillaume Rivest - one of the new gen "team Quebec" a very solid player online and live. He has won a 1K event at Playground in the past.
Roger Lamia - won a big event in Niagara a few years back, supposed to be well known in TO.
Vineet Pahuja - from NY, up and coming star.
Mike Linster - won a WPT Main Event last year.
Billy K - a solid Playground reg.
Catch the action via http:// events.playground.ca/
Course Steve Kerr is another example of this...buy always if you can, he's gonna make $ more often than not.
Anyhow, little doubt that Playground has officially established itself as one of top rooms in North America and untouchable for attendance in Canada.
Now looking forward to seeing WPT Montreal aim for a first place the size of this prize-pool...
Good luck Bill and Guilluame
Guillaume was OK early but just couldn't seem to get anything going. Billy K was quietly doing very well also but ran into a series of hands that he was correct to play hard but even more correct in each case to fold to pressure post flop. I think there's one hand he might have played differently but who am I to critique.
1. Henri Balcazar, Kitchener, Ontario - $194,044*
2. Eric Despres, St-Eustache, Quebec - $150,000*
3. Michael Linster, Park Island, New York - $200,000*
4. Guillaume Rivet, Montreal, Quebec - $96,151
5. Bill Kontaratos, Laval, Quebec - $74,714
6. Vineet Pahuja, New York City, New York - $58,006
7. Roger Lamia, Ottawa, Ontario - $44,923
8. Zheng-yi Xie, Montreal, Quebec - $35,150
9. Colin Piché, Repentigny, Quebec - $27,269
*based on deal
now if we could just get steve to host a BAP that us cheap bastards could afford we'd be in business